Legendary Acquires Movie Rights to Harry Potter Fan-Fic Book in a Seven-Figure Deal

Legendary has purchased the movie rights to Alchemised, a dark fantasy novel by SenLinYu, in a deal reported to be one of the largest ever for a new book’s movie rights, not adjusted for inflation.

Sources familiar with the deal told The Hollywood Reporter that the preemptive offer was designed to block competing studios and may have exceeded $3 million.

Legendary did not comment on the deal. The acquisition comes as the studio is riding high after a three-year output deal with Paramount and the success of The Minecraft Movie, which earned nearly a billion dollars.

SenLinYu, who uses they/them pronouns, shared their excitement about the deal, saying, “I’m honored by Legendary’s incredible enthusiasm for the project and can’t wait to see the world of Paladia come to life.”

Before Alchemised, SenLinYu was known in the Harry Potter fan fiction community. They gained attention for a subset of fan fiction called Dramione, which explores a romantic relationship between Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy.

Their 2023 novel Manacled, a dark fantasy mixing Harry Potter and The Handmaid’s Tale, received over 100,000 five-star ratings on Goodreads and was read more than 10 million times on AO3.

SenLinYu has also written Star Wars fan fiction pairing Ben Solo and Rey. Their collected works have been downloaded more than 20 million times and translated into 23 languages.

Alchemised started as Dramione fan fiction before evolving into an original dark romantasy story. It takes place in a world of necromancers and corrupt guild families. The story follows Helen Marino, an alchemist and healer with forgotten secrets in her mind.

She is sent to a necromancer’s decaying estate, where she must uncover her past while navigating hidden dangers. According to the book jacket, “Helena’s fight – to protect her lost history and to preserve the last remaining shreds of her former self – is just beginning. For her prison and captor have secrets of their own…secrets Helena must unearth, whatever the cost.”

The book will be published by Del Rey, a division of Penguin Random House, on September 23. The first printing will be 750,000 copies, and translations are planned in 21 languages. The novel has already been covered by major outlets, including The New York Times, TODAY, Bustle, The Washington Post, and Business Insider.

I think it’s exciting to see a story that started as fan fiction reach such a big stage. It’s proof that talent and creativity can find a home anywhere. What do you think about Alchemised heading to the big screen? Share your thoughts in the comments.